You can start with Mass Effect 3, but it is not the best order for a first playthrough. Mass Effect Legendary Edition includes the single-player versions of Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3, so play them in that order to follow the trilogy’s story and carry your choices forward.
Does Legendary Edition include Mass Effect 3?
Yes. Electronic Arts describes Legendary Edition as containing the single-player base content for all three trilogy games, plus over 40 DLC items across the trilogy. Check the current store listing for your region and platform before buying, since availability can change.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Mass Effect Legendary Edition - PlayStation 4 | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Mass Effect (Legendary Edition) - For Xbox Series X | $19.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Mass Effect Legendary Edition - Origin PC [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51u4qsXeCeS._SL160_.jpg)
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Mass Effect Legendary Edition - Origin PC [Online Game Code] | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Mass Effect Legendary Edition (Import) | $22.50 | Buy on Amazon |
What order should you play the games in?
- Mass Effect
- Mass Effect 2
- Mass Effect 3
This order preserves the narrative progression and the consequences of your decisions. EA says choices can carry from one game to the next, and Xbox Wire’s May 28, 2021 guidance describes the trilogy as being about “the journey from game to game.”
What if you want to start with Mass Effect 3?
You can begin with the third game, but treat it as a shortcut that leaves out substantial story and character context, not as an equivalent way to experience the trilogy. You will meet characters and encounter situations whose significance builds on earlier games; if you choose this route, expect to infer some of that history.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors#1 Best Overall
- One person is all that stands between humanity and the greatest threat it’s ever faced.
- Relive the legend of Commander Shepard in the highly acclaimed Mass Effect trilogy with the Mass Effect Legendary Edition.
- Includes single-player base content and over 40 DLC from Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3, including promo weapons, armors, and packs - remastered and optimized for 4k Ultra HD.
Use the available choice setup
The optional Mass Effect: Genesis comic experience appears before Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 and lets you select decisions from earlier games. It can establish some continuity choices, but it does not provide the full narrative of the games you skipped.
Understand the limit of a fresh ME3 start
In a 2021 explanation, PlayStation Blog said that a player who only plays Mass Effect 3 must take just about every available option to be eligible for an ending without massive galactic losses. That is publisher guidance, not a guarantee for every setup; it also does not replace the accumulated story and choices from the earlier games.
Rank #2
- RELIVE THE CINEMATIC SAGA - Heart-pounding action meets gripping interactive storytelling where you decide how your unique story unfolds
- Three Games – One Launcher: Play through the single-player base content and over 40 DLC from all three games, including promo weapons, armors, and packs
- Remastered for a New Generation - Experience the trilogy in 4K Ultra HD with enhanced performance, visuals, and graphics, all available in HDR
- Visual Improvements on All Three Games - Updates include enhanced models, shaders, FX, lighting, and depth of field plus full-resolution audio
- EXPERIENCE THE LEGEND OF SHEPARD - Create and customize your own character, from appearance and skills to a personalized arsenal then lead your elite recon squad across a galaxy in turmoil
Which route fits you?
| Approach | Story and context | Choice continuity | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Play all three in order | Follows the trilogy’s progression and builds character and world context over time. | Preserves the authored progression of choices across games. | First-time players who want the fullest continuity. |
| Start with Mass Effect 3 | Skips the earlier narratives; some backstory must be inferred. | Genesis offers selected prior choices, not the complete earlier experience. | Players who knowingly prefer a shortcut and accept missing context. |
Where can you play Legendary Edition?
EA Help lists PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC through the EA app or Steam. Confirm the current regional store listing for your platform, as storefront details can change.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- 0014633377651
Rank #3
- One person is all that stands between humanity and the greatest threat it’s ever faced.
- Relive the legend of Commander Shepard in the highly acclaimed Mass Effect trilogy with the Mass Effect Legendary Edition.
- Includes single-player base content and over 40 DLC from Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3, including promo weapons, armors, and packs - remastered and optimized for 4k Ultra HD.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
